Lennox nippers excel in big swell

THE swell was heavy which made the conditions a true test of character but that is exactly why Lennox Head Surf Life Saving Club excelled at the Nippers' Branch Championships at Yamba over the weekend.

Hannah Scully led the pack - she picked up three golds in the under-13 female board, swim and ironwoman events.

Hannah and her clubmates enjoy training in tough conditions at Lennox.

"The kids didn't mind the heavy swell at Yamba because that's what they're used to and they love it," Lennox Head SLSC nippers coach Michael Brown said.

Hannah deserved her swag of golds according to Brown.

"She's tenacious and always puts in 100 per cent," he said.

"She's the current State champion on the board and she's up doing training early in the morning three times a week.

"Hannah is the perfect size for the short board at the moment and she'll move to the longer board next year but she's looking forward to that challenge.

"She comes from an athletic family - her older sister Lauren has played for Queensland in netball (at under-17 and under-19 level so far)."

Luke Mounic and Zoe Hughes were other standouts for the Lennox club - Luke picked up gold in the under-12 swim and ironman and Zoe won the under-11 board and ironwoman.

"Jake Alder got second in both the events Luke won," Brown said.

"They always push each other so they're good stablemates."

Brown said the strength of his club was evident last year at the Interbranch titles at Redhead Beach, near Newcastle, with eight out of the 18 kids selected for the Far North Coast team from Lennox Head SLSC.

"Our depth in the board event is strong at the moment," he said.

"Those kids all go to our early morning training sessions and Lennox took out the all age board relay convincingly at Yamba.

"We've lost a lot of seniors recently but there's a whole batch of exciting young kids coming through."